Player News - Saints

Ingram seems poised to play through his toe issue for the second straight game, but mid-week downgrades are always eye-catching. We wouldn't consider the matter settled. Ingram will probably suit up as a low-end RB2 against the Bucs, but owners need to keep checking his status.

The Saints are arguably the league's most opaque team when it comes to injuries, but missing back-to-back practices is always an ominous sign. Thomas needs to get in at least a limited session on Friday to have a realistic shot at suiting up. Thomas will remain in the low-end WR1 mix if he can give it a go against Tampa. His absence would make Brandin Cooks a no-brainer WR1.

Saints RE Cameron Jordan played through a sprained MCL earlier this season.

Jordan suffered the injury in Week 2, but played 64-of-64 snaps in Week 3. "Those are things that you have to deal with," Jordan said, adding that he wore a brace. Jordan has only five sacks, but has generated a ton of pressure. He's a big reason the Saints' defense has stopped embarrassing itself over the past two months.

Hill also suffered an ankle injury, but it is not believed to be broken. It is a tough turn of events for a player who had been taking over the starting job in the last several weeks. With Hill out for the season, Coby Fleener should have steadier snap and route totals moving forward. In the first year of a three-year, $7.1 million deal, Hill will be back to compete for a role next season.

Fleener also had two drops. The second didn't count as a target because the Lions got called for roughing the passer. Fleener will be needed for a bigger role in Week 14 with Josh Hill (ankle) looking likely to be sidelined, but the drop machine will still be hard to trust as a TE1.

Tim Hightower rushed two times for five yards in the Saints' Week 13 loss to the Lions, adding a four-yard reception.

With Mark Ingram battling a toe injury, today was set up to be a nice day for Hightower. Instead he completely disappeared as the Saints had the ball for only 23 minutes against the ball-control Lions. Confusingly, he was out-touched 5-3 by Travaris Cadet. Hightower is coach Sean Payton's teacher's pet, but he'll be a high-risk RB3 against the Bucs in Week 14.

Mark Ingram rushed seven times for 37 yards in the Saints' Week 13 loss to the Lions, adding five receptions for 16 additional yards.

Ingram couldn't get any volume going in a game the Lions controlled from the opening whistle. Ingram also missed a series or two after tweaking his toe injury. He's undoubtedly going to miss more practice time this week. Provided he's healthy enough to suit up, Ingram will be a volatile RB2 against the Bucs in Week 14.

Snead has now been held below 40 yards in three straight games, and four of his past five. It's not true from a targets standpoint, but Snead has become a distant third behind Michael Thomas and Brandin Cooks on the production front. His WR3 case has disappeared.

It was a quiet day for the Saints' offense as Matthew Stafford helped keep them off the field. Drew Brees also struggled with his deep ball. Thomas is going to have days like today in the Saints' crowded offense, but is a WR2 with WR1 upside. He's the Saints' No. 1 receiver. The Bucs have been playing better defense of late, but are not an imposing Week 14 matchup.

Cooks added a four-yard rush. Cooks was supposed to be the "squeaky wheel" after complaining about his role, but instead saw zero targets in the game's first 29 minutes. A healthy amount of his production came with the game already decided in the fourth quarter. The reality is, Cooks has been surpassed by Michael Thomas for No. 1 status in the Saints' receiver corps, and isn't as far ahead of Willie Snead as fantasy owners would like. Cooks has monster upside potential, but is a volatile WR2.

Saints TE Josh Hill was on crutches and in a walking boot after injuring his right ankle in Sunday's loss to the Lions.

Hill went down early, but was never formally ruled out. Instead he was slapped with a "questionable" tag despite needing crutches. Coach Sean Payton always lies about injuries. Hill has become a bigger part of the Saints' offense in recent weeks, but with just four games left, he could be headed to injured reserve if he has a high-ankle sprain.

Drew Brees completed 31-of-44 passes for 326 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions in New Orleans' 28-13, Week 13 loss to the Lions.

It was Brees' first touchdown-less game at home since Week 4, 2009, a span of 60 games. It was an inconceivable outcome considering his 2016 play and weak opponent. Brees may have been playing through an injury, as his deep passes were wobbling much more than usual. He lacked his usual drive. Provided everything is alright physically, Brees will bounce back as a mid-range QB1 for next week's trip to Tampa.

Ingram seemed genuinely questionable for a time this week, but is ready to split work with Tim Hightower. Ingram absolutely tore it up in last week's romp over the Rams, but it's fair to wonder how often he'll get the ball at less than 100 percent. Our guess is that Hightower will probably win the touch war, making him the slightly better fantasy play. Ingram is on the RB2 borderline for Week 13. Inactive for the Saints are WR Jake Lampman, CB De'Vante Harris, RB Marcus Murphy, LT Terron Armstead, RB Daniel Lasco, OL Landon Turner and LB Sam Barrington.